Manchester City definitely needs to take a lead to the Bernabeu next week to give themselves a chance of winning their Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. If Real were to get a draw at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, I would fancy them heavily in the second leg. So the first game is key for City.
Real’s firepower means they will have chances in Manchester, of course, but City have match-winners too and they have to go for it while being clever and cautious at the same time. It is going to be interesting who City manager Manuel Pellegrini goes with in midfield, where he needs to find that very delicate balance between trying to put Real on the back foot, while keeping the back door locked.
Yaya Toure’s injury means City are likely to be without a key player and one of their main goal threats, but the form of Kevin de
